If you place your happiness conditionally on a future state of perfection, then you’re not alone. Perfectionism has become so common in Americans that many now refer to it as a disease. This blog teaches us how and why we enter this “perfectionist” state of mind, and how to use yoga and other “right-brain” practices to release our expectations and embrace our present condition.
Our brains are divided into two hemispheres. Neuroscientists agree that each hemisphere has dominant functions…For example, the left hemisphere is devoted to seeing things in parts (perfectionism!!), critical thinking and math skills. The right hemisphere is where creativity, holistic thinking and intuition originate. Oftentimes, one hemisphere is more active than the other. A student who is writing a comparison/contrast essay is going to exhibit more activity from his left brain, while an artist who is painting a picture exhibits more activity from her right brain.
As we go through the day, our internal and external environments affect which side of the brain is more active. While we are each predisposed to dominance in one hemisphere (most right-handed people are left-brain thinkers), certain “triggers” can switch which side of the brain is active. Hearing music, meditating, practicing yoga and dancing are all triggers for right-brain activity. On the other hand, filling out forms, retrieving facts from memory, and working out a budget all trigger left-brain activity.
As Americans, we are largely a left brain culture. The volume of stimuli for left-brain thinking is simply greater in America than many other countries: advertisements tell us to see our lives and our bodies through material compartmentalization, teaching us to perfect each aspect of ourselves through material purchases. Our educational systems emphasize mathematics, reading and writing over art and creative expression. Casting aside the nature vs. nurture argument, we are programed from birth to favor our left brain – the hemisphere where “seeing things in parts” and perfectionism originate.
If you struggle with perfectionism (recurring feelings of inadequacy, comparison to others, feeling you must reach a goal before things are “okay”), then try incorporating these practices in your day.
1. Nadishodna Pranayama: alternate nostril breathing…This style of breathing directs an even flow of oxygen to both hemisphere’s of the brain and has a soothing and balancing effect. If you haven’t practiced Nadishodna before, request to have it demonstrated during your next yoga class.
2. Yoga practice with holistic awareness: When we practice yoga postures (asanas), we often focus of what’s not working…“I’m not lifting my leg as high as her”…“my back doesn’t bend way”….etc. Instead focus on what is working: “I’m showing up for myself”….“I just tried something new”…“I’m practicing being fully present”…etc. See the BIG PICTURE
3. Do something creative for 15 minutes: listen to music and paint what you hear, try cooking from intuition (no recipes, please!), youtube your favorite music artist and sing along to their video…
4………Fill in the blank! What get’s your creativity flowing?
Remember that when you seek perfection, you miss out on the journey getting there. Our baby steps are the fruits of our existence. The best that we can do is slow down and appreciate all the little things in life that ARE working. You never know, this mindset just might stick! 🙂
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